The Canadian Department of National Defence has selected Hewitt Equipment to replace the diesel-electric generator (DG) sets and the provision of in-service support for the navy’s fleet of Halifax-class frigates.

This ten-year contract, with options to extend up to twenty-two years, includes the acquisition of the DG Sets and in-service support. The contract covers frigates that are located on both the East Coast and the West Coast of Canada.

Hewitt Equipment chairman and CEO Jim Hewitt said: "We are proud to have earned this opportunity to support the Canadian Navy as it executes its duties and critical missions both at home and around the world.

"We look forward to working closely with the Department of National Defence as we provide the navy the service par excellence for which Hewitt is recognised."

Hewitt will carry out the work under this contract with support from its subsidiary Atlantic Cat in the Maritimes and also through a teaming agreement with Finning in British Columbia.

"We are proud to have earned this opportunity to support the Canadian Navy."

Currently, the Canadian Navy operates 12 Halifax-class multi-purpose frigates, which were commissioned between 1992 and 1997.

The prime contractor for the Halifax-class frigate, or Canadian Patrol Frigate programme, was Saint John Shipbuilding. Of the total 12 ships, nine were constructed at the Saint John shipyards in Saint John, New Brunswick, and three vessels at Marine Industries Shipyards in Sorel.

In 2007, the Canadian Government launched a project to upgrade the Halifax-class frigates.